The phrase "GREAT TRIBULATION" is used 3 times in the Bible in the following verses which are from the King James Version...
1) Matthew 24:21 For then shall be GREAT TRIBULATION, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
2) Revelation 2:22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into GREAT TRIBULATION, except they repent of their deeds.
3) Revelation 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of GREAT TRIBULATION, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
The word "GREAT" is translated from the Greek word MEGAS and the word "TRIBULATION" is translated from the Greek word THLIPSIS.
Word Summary: megas: great
Transliteration: megas
Phonetic Spelling: (meg'-as)
Part of Speech: Adjective; Adverb, Comparative
Meaning: great
Strong's Concordance: exceeding, great, large
(including the prolonged forms, feminine megale, plural megaloi, etc.; compare also megistos, meizon); big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application) -- (+ fear) exceedingly, great(-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years.
Word Summary: thlipsis: tribulation
Transliteration: thlipsis
Phonetic Spelling: (thlip'-sis)
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Meaning: tribulation
Strong's Concordance: affliction, persecution, tribulation
From thlibo; pressure (literally or figuratively) -- afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble.
Let's look at the context of the 3 verses with the phrase "GREAT TRIBULATION" using the New King James Version...
Verse 1: Matthew 24:21 For then there will be GREAT TRIBULATION, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
This is the main Bible verse that people associate with the GREAT TRIBULATION. This verse is part of what is known as the Olivet Discourse so to understand what the Olivet Discourse is all about you need to read Matthew 23-25 as well as the parallel scriptures about the Olivet Discourse in the synoptic gospels of Mark and Luke.
The Olivet Discourse occurred on the Mount of Olives and involved Jesus and 4 of his Disciples: James, John, Peter and Andrew... Mark 13:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, PETER, JAMES, JOHN, AND ANDREW asked Him privately, Mark 13:4 "Tell us, WHEN WILL THESE THINGS BE? And WHAT WILL BE THE SIGN WHEN ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE FULFILLED?"
The parallel verse in Matthew says - 24:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, WHEN WILL THESE THINGS BE? And WHAT WILL BE THE SIGN OF YOUR COMING, and of the END OF THE AGE?"
Notice the difference between Matthew and Mark's version of the Disciples questions. Also notice how the Disciples questions in Matthew associate "these things" with Christ's COMING (Parousia) and the END OF THE AGE.
The parallel verse in Luke says - 21:7 So they asked Him, saying, "Teacher, but WHEN WILL THESE THINGS BE? And WHAT SIGN WILL THERE BE WHEN THESE THINGS ARE ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE?"
All 3 sets of questions included 2 questions: WHEN would "these things" take place? and WHAT SIGN would precede them?
In order to see WHAT "these things" are we need to read the previous verses in Matthew 23 & 24. One thing was the Destruction of the Temple buildings... Matthew 24:1 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him THE BUILDINGS OF THE TEMPLE. Matthew 24:2 And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, NOT ONE STONE SHALL BE LEFT HERE UPON ANOTHER, that shall not be thrown down."
The parallel verse in Mark says... 13:1 Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, "Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!" Mark 13:2 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? NOT ONE STONE SHALL BE LEFT UPON ANOTHER, THAT SHALL NOT BE THROWN DOWN."
The parallel verse in Luke says... 21:5 Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said, Luke 21:6 "These things which you see—THE DAYS WILL COME IN WHICH NOT ONE STONE SHALL BE LEFT UPON ANOTHER THAT SHALL NOT BE THROWN DOWN."
Before Christ came out of the Temple He told the Scribes and Pharisees that he would send Prophets, Wise Men and Scribes and THEY would Persecute and Kill some of them and He also told them that ALL THE RIGHTEOUS BLOOD SHED ON THE EARTH would come upon THEM in that GENERATION... Matthew 23:33 Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? Matthew 23:34 Therefore, indeed, I send you PROPHETS, WISE MEN, AND SCRIBES: SOME OF THEM YOU WILL KILL AND CRUCIFY, AND SOME OF THEM YOU WILL SCOURGE IN YOUR SYNAGOGUES AND PERSECUTE FROM CITY TO CITY, Matthew 23:35 that ON YOU MAY COME ALL THE RIGHTEOUS BLOOD SHED ON THE EARTH, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Matthew 23:36 ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, ALL THESE THINGS WILL COME UPON THIS GENERATION.
So these were the "THINGS" that the Disciples were asking Jesus about. Since Jesus said that some of them would be killed you can see why they were concerned and asking questions. Jesus had told them previously that they would be persecuted from city to city... Matthew 10:22 And YOU WILL BE HATED BY ALL FOR MY NAME'S SAKE. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:23 WHEN THEY PERSECUTE YOU IN THIS CITY, FLEE TO ANOTHER. FOR ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, YOU WILL NOT HAVE GONE THROUGH THE CITIES OF ISRAEL BEFORE THE SON OF MAN COMES.
Matthew 10:23 is probably the reason that the Disciples associated the Destruction of the Temple with Christ's 2nd COMING.
Jesus revealed the Main SIGN that would occur before the Destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem before he told them WHEN it would happen. Jesus also told his Disciples what to do when THEY saw the SIGN... Matthew 24:15 "Therefore WHEN YOU SEE THE 'ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION,' SPOKEN OF BY DANIEL THE PROPHET, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand), Matthew 24:16 "THEN LET THOSE WHO ARE IN JUDEA FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS.
The parallel verse in Mark says - 13:14 "So WHEN YOU SEE THE 'ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION,' SPOKEN OF BY DANIEL THE PROPHET, standing where it ought not" (let the reader understand), "THEN LET THOSE WHO ARE IN JUDEA FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS.
People get confused about THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION and waste time speculating about it. What they need to do is read the parallel verses in Luke... 21:20 "But WHEN YOU SEE JERUSALEM SURROUNDED BY ARMIES, THEN KNOW THAT ITS DESOLATION IS NEAR. Luke 21:21 THEN LET THOSE WHO ARE IN JUDEA FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. Luke 21:22 FOR THESE ARE THE DAYS OF VENGEANCE, THAT ALL THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN MAY BE FULFILLED.
The time period after Jesus WARNED the Disciples to FLEE is described as GREAT TRIBULATION in Matthew 24:21 and TRIBULATION in Mark 13:19... For in those days there will be TRIBULATION, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. The King James Version uses the word AFFLICTION instead of TRIBULATION in Mark 13:19 but the Greek word that it is translated from is THILIPSIS (Strong's 2347) just like in Matthew 24:21... (KJV) Mark 13:19 For in those days shall be AFFLICTION, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
Notice in Luke 21:22 that they are called "DAYS OF VENGEANCE" and that ALL THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN MAY BE FULFILLED. Only the Old Testament had been written at this time but the Resurrection, Judgment and the Everlasting Kingdom were written about in Daniel. The Resurrection and the New Heaven and New Earth were written about in Isaiah so what else is there to be fulfilled after these things?
Jesus revealed that the WRATH is upon the Judeans or Jewish people... Luke 21:23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! FOR THERE WILL BE GREAT DISTRESS IN THE LAND AND WRATH UPON THIS PEOPLE. Luke 21:24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Revelation 11:2 REVEALS how long Jerusalem would be trampled by Gentiles... Revelation 11:1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. Revelation 11:2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And THEY WILL TREAD THE HOLY CITY UNDERFOOT FOR FORTY-TWO MONTHS.
The DAYS OF VENGEANCE refers to GOD'S WRATH on the Judeans via the Jewish-Roman War. The Jewish-Roman War began officially in the Spring of A.D. 67 and the temple and Jerusalem were DESTROYED by the end of the summer of A.D. 70. According to the Jewish Historian Josephus, 1.1 Million Died in Jerusalem during the siege and 97,000 were taken captive...
"Now the number of those that were carried captive during this whole war was collected to be ninety-seven thousand; as was the number of those that perished during the whole siege eleven hundred thousand, the greater part of whom were indeed of the same nation [with the citizens of Jerusalem], but not belonging to the city itself; for they were come up from all the country to the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and were on a sudden shut up by an army, which, at the very first, occasioned so great a straitness among them, that there came a pestilential destruction upon them, and soon afterward such a famine, as destroyed them more suddenly." - Flavius Josephus, WARS OF THE JEWS, Book 6, Chapter 9, Section 3.
AND thus was Jerusalem taken, in the SECOND YEAR of the reign of Vespasian, on the eighth day of the month Gorpeius [Elul]. - WARS OF THE JEWS, Flavius Josephus, Book 6, Chapter 10, Paragraph 1.
Click the link to Download a PDF file of WARS OF THE JEWS.
Vespasian's reign began in A.D. 69 during the year of the 4 Emperors so his 2nd year would have been A.D. 70.
According to the Hebrew Calendar the date of 8 Elul 3830 (Jewish Year) converts to Sunday, August 31, A.D. 70...
I was raised in a Baptist Church and attended regularly but I was in my 30's before I learned about the Destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. I didn't hear about it in church. A Church of Christ minister that I worked with when I was a teacher and coach told me about it. If you want to learn about it click the link below and Download the FREE PDF file:
DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM - BOOK BY GEORGE PETER HOLFORD (PDF)
"An Absolute and Irresistible Proof of the Divine Origin of Christianity: Including a Narrative of the Calamities which Befell the Jews, So Far as They Tend to Verify Our Lord's Predictions Relative to that Event. With a Brief Description of the City and Temple" - 1805 AD.
The Destruction of Jerusalem is an extraordinary Preterist account that demonstrates that the End Times, so-called, occurred nearly two thousand years ago by showing facts in a convincing manner that no contradictory view (i.e. modern 'End Times' beliefs) can offer.
In Matthew 24:21 Jesus was alluding to Daniel 12:1... "At that TIME Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And THERE SHALL BE A TIME OF TROUBLE, SUCH AS NEVER WAS SINCE THERE WAS A NATION, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.
The TIME being referred to is the TIME of the END for Daniel's people (the Hebrews) and the Old Covenant... Daniel 10:14 Now I have come to make you understand WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOUR PEOPLE IN THE LATTER DAYS, for the vision refers to many days yet to come."
Daniel knew the Old Testament Scriptures and he knew what Moses was told before he died... Deuteronomy 31:15 Now the LORD appeared at the tabernacle in a pillar of cloud, and the pillar of cloud stood above the door of the tabernacle. Deuteronomy 31:16 And the LORD said to Moses: "Behold, you will rest with your fathers; and THIS PEOPLE WILL RISE AND PLAY THE HARLOT WITH THE GODS OF THE FOREIGNERS OF THE LAND, where they go to be among them, and THEY WILL FORSAKE ME AND BREAK MY COVENANT WHICH I HAVE MADE WITH THEM. Deuteronomy 31:17 THEN MY ANGER SHALL BE AROUSED AGAINST THEM IN THAT DAY, AND I WILL FORSAKE THEM, AND I WILL HIDE MY FACE FROM THEM, AND THEY SHALL BE DEVOURED. And many evils and troubles shall befall them, so that they will say in that day, 'Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?' Deuteronomy 31:18 And I will surely hide My face in that day because of all the evil which they have done, in that they have turned to other gods. Deuteronomy 31:19 "Now therefore, write down this song (The Song of Moses) for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel; put it in their mouths, that THIS SONG MAY BE A WITNESS FOR ME AGAINST THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. Deuteronomy 31:20 When I have brought them to the land flowing with milk and honey, of which I swore to their fathers, and they have eaten and filled themselves and grown fat, then they will turn to other gods and serve them; and THEY WILL PROVOKE ME AND BREAK MY COVENANT. Deuteronomy 31:21 THEN IT SHALL BE, WHEN MANY EVILS AND TROUBLES HAVE COME UPON THEM, THAT THIS SONG WILL TESTIFY AGAINST THEM AS A WITNESS; FOR IT WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN IN THE MOUTHS OF THEIR DESCENDANTS, for I know the inclination of their behavior today, even before I have brought them to the land of which I swore to give them." Deuteronomy 31:22 Therefore Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it to the children of Israel.
Moses said in Deuteronomy 31:28-29: "Gather to me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them. For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you. And EVIL WILL BEFALL YOU IN THE LATTER DAYS, because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands."
EXCERPTS FROM THE SONG OF MOSES
+ Deuteronomy 32:20 And He said: 'I will hide My face from them, I WILL SEE WHAT THEIR END WILL BE, FOR THEY ARE A PERVERSE GENERATION, CHILDREN IN WHOM IS NO FAITH.
The LAST GENERATION of Hebrews, before their END would be "A PERVERSE GENERATION, CHILDREN IN WHOM IS NO FAITH". Jesus called the Generation of His time a FAITHLESS AND PERVERSE GENERATION... Matthew 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, "O FAITHLESS AND PERVERSE GENERATION, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me." The Apostle Peter also identified the PERVERSE GENERATION on the Day of Pentecost... Acts 2:40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from THIS PERVERSE GENERATION." The Apostle Paul also said that THEIR GENERATION was CROOKED AND PERVERSE... Philippians 2:14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, Philippians 2:15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of A CROOKED AND PERVERSE GENERATION, among whom you shine as lights in the world, Philippians 2:16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
+ Deuteronomy 32:21 They have provoked Me to jealousy by what is not God; They have moved Me to anger by their foolish idols. But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not a nation; I will move them to anger by a foolish nation.
The Apostle Paul quoted from this verse in Romans 10:19... But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: "I WILL PROVOKE YOU TO JEALOUSY BY THOSE WHO ARE NOT A NATION, I WILL MOVE YOU TO ANGER BY A FOOLISH NATION." This is what Paul said about the people of his day... Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
+ Deuteronomy 32:23 'I will heap disasters on them; I WILL SPEND MY ARROWS ON THEM. Deuteronomy 32:24 THEY SHALL BE WASTED WITH HUNGER, DEVOURED BY PESTILENCE AND BITTER DESTRUCTION; I will also send against them the teeth of beasts, With the poison of serpents of the dust. Deuteronomy 32:25 THE SWORD SHALL DESTROY OUTSIDE; THERE SHALL BE TERROR WITHIN For the young man and virgin, The nursing child with the man of gray hairs.
The aforementioned scripture was FULFILLED in the Jewish-Roman War that caused the Destruction of the Temple, Jerusalem and the End of Old Covenant Judaism!
+ Deuteronomy 32:28 "FOR THEY ARE A NATION VOID OF COUNSEL, NOR IS THERE ANY UNDERSTANDING IN THEM. Deuteronomy 32:29 OH, THAT THEY WERE WISE, THAT THEY UNDERSTOOD THIS, THAT THEY WOULD CONSIDER THEIR LATTER END!
The END of Old Covenant Judaism was at the END OF THE AGE and NOT at the END OF THE WORLD! A BAD TRANSLATION has led to BAD ESCHATOLOGY!
+ Deuteronomy 32:36 "For THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE And have compassion on His servants, When He sees that THEIR POWER IS GONE, And there is no one remaining, bond or free.
The only POWER that Old Covenant Israel had came from GOD and they BROKE the Covenant and GOD DESTROYED ISRAEL/JUDEA as a Nation!
+ Deuteronomy 32:39 'Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand. Deuteronomy 32:40 For I raise My hand to heaven, And say, "As I live forever, Deuteronomy 32:41 If I whet My glittering sword, And My hand takes hold on judgment, I WILL RENDER VENGEANCE TO MY ENEMIES, AND REPAY THOSE WHO HATE ME. Deuteronomy 32:42 I will make My arrows drunk with blood, And My sword shall devour flesh, With the blood of the slain and the captives, From the heads of the leaders of the enemy." '
GOD'S VENGEANCE or WRATH came upon that PERVERSE GENERATION just like Jesus said when he WARNED the Scribes and Pharisees in the Temple... Matthew 23:36 ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, ALL THESE THINGS WILL COME UPON THIS GENERATION. Matthew 23:37 "O JERUSALEM, JERUSALEM, THE ONE WHO KILLS THE PROPHETS and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Matthew 23:38 SEE! YOUR HOUSE IS LEFT TO YOU DESOLATE"!
+ Deuteronomy 32:43 "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; FOR HE WILL AVENGE THE BLOOD OF HIS SERVANTS, AND RENDER VENGEANCE TO HIS ADVERSARIES; He will provide atonement for His land and His people." Deuteronomy 32:44 So Moses came with Joshua the son of Nun and SPOKE ALL THE WORDS OF THIS SONG in the hearing of the people. Deuteronomy 32:45 Moses finished speaking all these words to all Israel, Deuteronomy 32:46 and he said to them: "Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe—ALL THE WORDS OF THIS LAW. Deuteronomy 32:47 For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and BY THIS WORD YOU SHALL PROLONG YOUR DAYS IN THE LAND which you cross over the Jordan to possess."
Notice in 32:46 how Moses called the Song Of Moses "THE WORDS OF THIS LAW". Therefore the Song of Moses was part of the Mosaic Law. Jesus said in Matthew 5:18: "For assuredly, I say to you, TILL HEAVEN AND EARTH PASS AWAY, ONE JOT OR ONE TITTLE WILL BY NO MEANS PASS FROM THE LAW TILL ALL IS FULFILLED.
Most Christians don't believe we are under the Mosaic Law and they don't believe Heaven and Earth have passed away. That's a problem because it's UNSCRIPTURAL... If Heaven and Earth have NOT passed away then we are still under the law! The Good News is that the Heaven and Earth in Matthew 5:18 are NOT the literal Heavens and Earth and they have passed away. Therefore, we are NOT under the law!
HEAVEN AND EARTH HAVE PASSED AWAY
The passing away of "Heaven and Earth" was a metaphor symbolizing the passing away of the Temple, Jerusalem and the Old Covenant.
The following is quoted from the book, BAMBOOZLED BELIEVERS by Michael Biehler, Kindle Edition...
"'HEAVEN AND EARTH' is a metaphor for the temple and the Jewish religion as it existed 2,000 years ago. These things did pass away as Jesus predicted in his Olivet Discourse.
Answering his disciples’ question about the destruction of the temple, he said: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away" (Matthew. 24 35). He was talking about the destruction of the temple and the end of the Old Covenant religion, not the end of the universe. Since the old 'heaven and earth' is a metaphor for the Old Covenant, it seems very likely that the 'new heaven and the new earth' is a metaphor for the New Covenant.
The simple truth is that the 'old heaven and old earth' passed away in AD 70. The 'old heaven and old earth' is imagery! We live in the age of grace; we are no longer under the Law. In his letter to the Ephesians - Paul tells us that Jesus abolished 'the law of commandments expressed in ordinances' (Ephesians 2:15). Since the law has passed away, 'heaven and earth' must have passed away also. The phrase 'heaven and earth' is a metaphor!
Many Futurists say that the Old Covenant (the old heaven and old earth) was abolished at the cross, but that is not the case; when the book of Hebrews was written, in about AD 63, the Old Covenant was 'growing old' and was ready to 'vanish away' - Hebrews 8:13. In AD 70 it did vanish away... in the siege of Jerusalem. Some of the people ate their children and they bowed down to the slaughter. Josephus describes these events in gruesome detail, reporting that 1,100,000 died and many survivors were sent to Egypt.
God’s people were called by a new name: 'Christians'. They ran away from the city when they saw armies approaching. They ran because Jesus had told them to run; in Luke 21 we see Jesus’ warning: 20 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, 22 FOR THESE ARE DAYS OF VENGEANCE, TO FULFILL ALL THAT IS WRITTEN. Jesus says that those days of vengeance 'to fulfill all that is written'. Isn’t this another indication that the new heaven and new earth prophecy of Isaiah 65:17-25 was fulfilled in AD 70? Verse 20 of Isaiah 65 says that there will be sin and death in the new heaven and new earth: ...'for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.' The simple, inconvenient truth is that Isaiah’s 'new heaven and new earth' is not the renovated planet with no suffering and no physical death. We are living in the New Covenant age... the 'new heavens and new earth.' Futurists don’t see the imagery: the wolf and the lamb feeding together is a metaphor for peace. Jesus, the prince of peace, has given us the peace that 'surpasses all understanding' (Philippians 4:7). Also, believers have 'passed out of death into life...' (1 John 3:14). Jesus 'hath abolished death, and brought life...' (2 Timothy 1:10) Jesus said it very clearly; at conversion, we pass from death to life. 'Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life' (John 5:24).
21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away; and the sea was no more (Revelation 21:1 ESV). In this passage the appearing of the 'new heaven and new earth' is associated with the passing of the first heaven and the first earth. We know that the first heaven and first earth is a metaphor for the Old Covenant temple-centered religion, so we conclude that the 'new heaven and new earth' is a metaphor for the New Covenant. Since this verse comes from a part of Revelation that is replete with imagery, there is a pretty good chance that it is not referring to a new planet." - MICHAEL BIEHLER
Michael's book, BAMBOOZLED BELIEVERS, convinced me that Full Preterism was the CORRECT Eschatology!
If you want to watch an excellent video series on The New Heavens and Earth here's the link to Part 1: The New Heavens and Earth - Part 1
(ESV) Psalms 78:69 He built his sanctuary like the high heavens, like the earth, which he has founded FOREVER (English Standard Version).
Notice how in Psalms 78:69 GOD built his sanctuary like the heavens and the earth. Also notice that the earth was founded or established FOREVER!
Isaiah 51:16 And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, THAT I MAY PLANT THE HEAVENS, LAY THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH, And say to Zion, 'You are My people.' "
GOD is speaking about what he HAD done. He gave Israel the LAW (Mosaic Covenant) to plant the heavens and lay the foundations of the earth.
Obviously GOD is not speaking about the LITERAL Heavens and Earth since they were created long before Israel was given the Mosaic Law!
When describing "the Most Holy Place" (Holy of Holies} of the Tabernacle, the Jewish Historian, Flavius Josephus, referred to it as "a heaven peculiar to God" and the rest of the tabernacle was described as "sea and land, on which men live".
4. As for the inside, Moses parted its length into three partitions. At the distance of ten cubits from the most secret end, Moses placed four pillars, the workmanship of which was the very same with that of the rest; and they stood upon the like bases with them, each a small matter distant from his fellow. Now the room within those pillars was the most holy place; but the rest of the room was the tabernacle, which was open for the priests. However, this proportion of the measures of the tabernacle proved to be an imitation of the system of the world; FOR THAT THIRD PART THEREOF WHICH WAS WITHIN THE FOUR PILLARS, TO WHICH THE PRIESTS WERE NOT ADMITTED, IS, AS IT WERE, A HEAVEN PECULIAR TO GOD. But the space of the twenty cubits, is, as it were, sea and land, on which men live, and so this part is peculiar to the priests only. But at the front, where the entrance was made, they placed pillars of gold, that stood on bases of brass, in number seven; but then they spread over the tabernacle veils of fine linen and purple, and blue, and scarlet colors, embroidered. The first veil was ten cubits every way, and this they spread over the pillars which parted the temple, and kept the most holy place concealed within; and this veil was that which made this part not visible to any. Now the whole temple was called The Holy Place: but that part which was within the four pillars, and to which none were admitted, was called The Holy of Holies. - Antiquities Of The Jews by Flavius Josephus (Translated By William Whiston Book 3, Chapter 6, (CONCERNING THE TABERNACLE WHICH MOSES BUILT IN THE WILDERNESS FOR THE HONOR OF GOD AND WHICH SEEMED TO BE A TEMPLE.) Paragraph 4.
When Moses distinguished the tabernacle into three parts, and allowed two of them to the priests, as a place accessible and common, he denoted the land and the sea, these being of general access to all; but he set apart the third division for God, because heaven is inaccessible to men. - Antiquities Of The Jews by Flavius Josephus (Translated By William Whiston Book 3, Chapter 7, Paragraph 7.
BACK TO DANIEL 12 AND THE OLIVET DISCOURSE
Daniel was told that the "Time of Trouble" or Tribulation would also be when the Resurrection and Judgment of the Just & Unjust would occur... Daniel 12:2 AND MANY OF THOSE WHO SLEEP IN THE DUST OF THE EARTH SHALL AWAKE, SOME TO EVERLASTING LIFE, SOME TO SHAME AND EVERLASTING CONTEMPT. Daniel 12:3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.
Compare Daniel 12:3 to Matthew 13:43... "Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"
This occurs at the END OF THE AGE according to Christ. He said this when explaining the Parable of the Tares of the Field... Matthew 13:36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him, saying, "EXPLAIN TO US THE PARABLE OF THE TARES OF THE FIELD." Matthew 13:37 He answered and said to them: "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. Matthew 13:38 The field is the world, THE GOOD SEEDS ARE THE SONS OF THE KINGDOM, but THE TARES ARE THE SONS OF THE WICKED ONE. Matthew 13:39 The enemy who sowed them is the devil, THE HARVEST IS THE END OF THE AGE, and the reapers are the angels. Matthew 13:40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, SO IT WILL BE AT THE END OF THIS AGE. Matthew 13:41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, Matthew 13:42 and WILL CAST THEM INTO THE FURNACE OF FIRE. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:43 THEN THE RIGHTEOUS WILL SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN IN THE KINGDOM OF THEIR FATHER. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
Understanding the Parable of the Tares of the Field may be the reason that the Disciples associated the END OF THE AGE with the Destruction of the Temple in Matthew 24:3... Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, WHEN will these things be? And what will be THE SIGN of Your coming, and of the END OF THE AGE?"
Be sure to read my article: HOW THE BIBLICAL AGES PROVE THAT CHRIST'S 2ND COMING WAS IN THE PAST
Daniel was also told WHEN the Fulfillment would happen and HOW LONG it would last... Daniel 12:7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that IT SHALL BE FOR A TIME, TIMES, AND HALF A TIME; AND WHEN THE POWER OF THE HOLY PEOPLE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY SHATTERED, ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE FINISHED.
The only POWER that the Hebrews had was from GOD and it was the Mosaic Covenant they had with him but THEY BROKE IT and the Wrath of the Lamb came upon THEM and COMPLETELY SHATTERED their POWER with the Destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70!
Christ gave his Disciples the SIGN for WHEN these things were about to take place... Luke 21:20 "But WHEN YOU SEE JERUSALEM SURROUNDED BY ARMIES, THEN KNOW THAT ITS DESOLATION IS NEAR.
Then Christ told them HOW to ESCAPE the WRATH OF GOD... Luke 21:21 Then LET THOSE WHO ARE IN JUDEA FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.
Christ Revealed that it was GOD'S WRATH and the time for the FULFILLMENT of ALL PROPHECY... Luke 21:22 For THESE ARE THE DAYS OF VENGEANCE, THAT ALL THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN MAY BE FULFILLED.
Christ also Revealed WHO the WRATH was upon and what would happen to THEM... Luke 21:23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! FOR THERE WILL BE GREAT DISTRESS IN THE LAND AND WRATH UPON THIS PEOPLE. Luke 21:24 And THEY WILL FALL BY THE EDGE OF THE SWORD, AND BE LED AWAY CAPTIVE INTO ALL NATIONS. And JERUSALEM WILL BE TRAMPLED BY GENTILES until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
The Book of Revelation Reveals HOW LONG Jerusalem would be TRAMPLED by the Gentiles... Revelation 11:1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. Revelation 11:2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, FOR IT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE GENTILES. AND THEY WILL TREAD THE HOLY CITY UNDERFOOT FOR FORTY-TWO MONTHS.
Notice that the Amount of Time (42 MONTHS) Jerusalem was TRAMPLED is the SAME Amount of Time (A TIME, TIMES, AND HALF A TIME) that was Revealed to Daniel in Daniel 12:7!
The Great Tribulation or Jewish-Roman War began AFTER the SIGN (Jerusalem Surrounded by Armies)... Matthew 24:16 "then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Matthew 24:21 FOR THEN THERE WILL BE GREAT TRIBULATION, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Daniel was told by the Angel that the Resurrection would occur then and Jesus told his Disciples the SAME THING... Matthew 24:29 "IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE TRIBULATION OF THOSE DAYS the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Matthew 24:30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matthew 24:31 And HE WILL SEND HIS ANGELS WITH A GREAT SOUND OF A TRUMPET, AND THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Christ also gave the TIMEFRAME for THE WAR, His COMING and the RESURRECTION... Matthew 24:34 ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, THIS GENERATION WILL BY NO MEANS PASS AWAY TILL ALL THESE THINGS TAKE PLACE.
So you have a CHOICE... Believe the Prophecy Preaching PIMPS of Today OR Believe the Word of GOD!
Verse 2: Revelation 2:22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into GREAT TRIBULATION, unless they repent of their deeds.
Revelation 2:22 is contained in the letter written to the Church in Thyatira. Christ WARNED them to repent of their sins or be cast into GREAT TRIBULATION. Christ did not give any details about what that would be. However, he did tell them in Revelation 2:25 "But HOLD FAST WHAT YOU HAVE TILL I COME." That's PROOF that Christ was COMING SOON in their lifetime - NOT in 2,000 YEARS!
I did an extensive study on the 2ND COMING. Be sure to read my article: THE 2ND COMING OF JESUS CHRIST
Verse 3: Revelation 7:14 And I said to him, "Sir, you know." So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the GREAT TRIBULATION, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Revelation 7:14 is the answer to the question asked in Revelation 7:13... Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?"
The previous verses reveal the identity of those WHO were "arrayed in white robes"... Revelation 7:9 After these things I looked, and behold, A GREAT MULTITUDE WHICH NO ONE COULD NUMBER, OF ALL NATIONS, TRIBES, PEOPLES, AND TONGUES, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, Revelation 7:10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
The GREAT TRIBULATION of Revelation 7:14 is NOT the same GREAT TRIBULATION as referred to in Matthew 24:21 and Daniel 12:1. The GREAT TRIBULATION of Revelation 7:14 involved the Persecuted Christians and it occurred before the WRATH OF THE LAMB began which was on the Unbelieving Jews. Simply put... The GREAT TRIBULATION of Matthew 24:21 was by GOD or the LAMB on UNBELIEVERS and the GREAT TRIBULATION of Revelation 7:14 was by SATAN on BELIEVERS! GOD'S WRATH began after the Seventh Seal was opened in Chapter 8... Revelation 8:1 When He OPENED THE SEVENTH SEAL, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour... Revelation 8:6 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. Revelation 8:7 The first angel sounded: And hail and fire followed, mingled with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. And a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
Christ told his Disciples that they would be Persecuted and some of them would be Killed before he told them about the Abomination of Desolation or Jerusalem being Surrounded by Armies and the GREAT TRIBULATION of Matthew 24:21... Matthew 24:9 "Then THEY WILL DELIVER YOU UP TO TRIBULATION AND KILL YOU, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. Matthew 24:10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.
Here's what the parallel verses in the Gospel of Mark say... Mark 13:9 "But watch out for yourselves, for THEY WILL DELIVER YOU UP TO COUNCILS, AND YOU WILL BE BEATEN IN THE SYNAGOGUES. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. Mark 13:11 But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Mark 13:12 Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and CAUSE THEM TO BE PUT TO DEATH. Mark 13:13 And YOU WILL BE HATED BY ALL FOR MY NAME'S SAKE. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
The parallel verses in Luke say... Luke 21:12 But before all these things, THEY WILL LAY THEIR HANDS ON YOU AND PERSECUTE YOU, DELIVERING YOU UP TO THE SYNAGOGUES AND PRISONS. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name's sake. Luke 21:13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Luke 21:14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; Luke 21:15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. Luke 21:16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and THEY WILL PUT SOME OF YOU TO DEATH. Luke 21:17 AND YOU WILL BE HATED BY ALL FOR MY NAME'S SAKE.
Persecution of Christians began right after Pentecost. Read about Peter and John being arrested and threatened in Acts 4. The Book of Acts has several examples of the Persecution of Christians. They were persecuted by the Jews or the persecution was instigated by them.
Christians who were Killed went to Heaven... 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, yes, well pleased rather TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY AND TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD.
The Great Multitude that John saw in Revelation 7:9-17 were in Heaven "standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands" and they were seen before the Wrath of the Lamb had begun.
The Greatest Persecution of Christians began in A.D. 64 after they were blamed for the Great Fire of Rome. Nero was the Roman Emperor at that time and was known as The Beast.
ED STEVENS - March 17, 2013 Podcast: FIRE IN ROME & PERSECUTION
DOWNLOAD LINK for PODCAST NOTES
Nero was the Roman Emperor when the Jewish-Roman War began. He reigned from A.D. 54-68.
Nero was probably the 6th king of Revelation 17:10, the one presently reigning, when John wrote the Book of Revelation. The 1st king would have been Julius Caesar and the 7th king would be Galba who followed Nero and only reigned for 7 months... Revelation 17:10 There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, ONE IS, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time.
"According to the Annals of the Roman historian Tacitus and to the Nero of the Roman biographer Suetonius, Nero in response tried to shift responsibility for the fire to the Christians, who were popularly thought to engage in many wicked practices. Hitherto the government had not clearly distinguished Christians from Jews. Almost by accident, Nero initiated the later Roman policy of halfhearted persecution of the Christians, in the process earning himself the reputation of Antichrist in the early Christian tradition." - NERO
THILIPSIS
The Greek word THILIPSIS is used 45 times in the King James Version of the New Testament and is translated as follows:
+ Afflicted, Affliction or Afflictions = 18 times
+ Anguish = 1 time
+ Burdened = 1 time
+ Persecution = 1 time
+ Tribulation or Tribulations = 21 times
+ Trouble = 3 times
I covered 3 of the verses that translate THILIPSIS as Tribulation in the phrase "GREAT TRIBULATION" above. 25 other verses that use the Greek word THILIPSIS which pertain to the WRATH OF GOD or the PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS follow. The words translated from THILIPSIS are CAPITALIZED in RED.
1) Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be AFFLICTED, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
2) Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the TRIBULATION of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
3) Mark 13:19 For in those days shall be AFFLICTION, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be.
4) Mark 13:24 But in those days, after that TRIBULATION, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,
5) Acts 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the PERSECUTION that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
6) Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much TRIBULATION enter into the kingdom of God.
7) Romans 2:9 TRIBULATION and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
8) Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in TRIBULATIONS also: knowing that TRIBULATION worketh patience;
9) Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall TRIBULATION, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
10) 2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our TRIBULATION, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
11) 2 Corinthians 1:8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our TROUBLE which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
12) 2 Corinthians 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our TRIBULATION.
13) 2 Corinthians 8:2 How that in a great trial of AFFLICTION the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
14) Ephesians 3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my TRIBULATIONS for you, which is your glory.
15) Philippians 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add AFFLICTION to my bonds:
16) Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the AFFLICTIONS of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
17) 1 Thessalonians 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much AFFLICTION, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
18) 1 Thessalonians 3:3 That no man should be moved by these AFFLICTIONS: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
19) 1 Thessalonians 3:7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our AFFLICTION and distress by your faith:
20) 2 Thessalonians 1:4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and TRIBULATIONS that ye endure:
21) 2 Thessalonians 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense TRIBULATION to them that trouble you;
22) Hebrews 10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and AFFLICTIONS; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
23) Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in TRIBULATION, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
24) Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and TRIBULATION, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
25) Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have TRIBULATION ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Let's look at the 25 verses that pertain to the WRATH OF GOD or the PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS using the New King James Version. The words translated from THILIPSIS are CAPITALIZED in RED.
Verse 1: Matthew 24:9 Then they will deliver you up to TRIBULATION and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.
The TRIBULATION (NKJV) or AFFLICTED (KJV) in 24:9 is about the PERSECUTION of the Disciples and I covered it under the comments on the GREAT TRIBULATION of Revelation 7:14 above.
Verse 2: Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the TRIBULATION of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
The TRIBULATION in 24:29 is referring to the Jewish-Roman War which was GOD'S WRATH on the Unbelieving Judeans. Immediately AFTER that GREAT TRIBULATION or THE WAR was the COMING of Christ to GATHER THE ELECT... Mathew 24:30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN with power and great glory. Matthew 24:31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Verse 3: Mark 13:19 For in those days there will be TRIBULATION, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.
The TRIBULATION (NKJV) or AFFLICTION (KJV) of 13:19 refers to the Jewish-Roman War. This verse is parallel to Matthew 24:21 which is the 1st verse I commented on regarding the GREAT TRIBULATION.
Verse 4: Mark 13:24 But in those days, after that TRIBULATION, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;
This verse is parallel to Matthew 24:29 which refers to the Jewish-Roman War. The Gospel of Mark also mentions the COMING of Christ and the Gathering of the Elect... Mark 13:26 Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN THE CLOUDS with great power and glory. Mark 13:27 And then He will send His angels, and GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.
Verse 5: Acts 11:19 Now those who were scattered after the PERSECUTION that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.
It's quite obvious that 11:19 refers to the PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS. Stephen was the 1ST CHRISTIAN to be Martyred.
Verse 6: Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many TRIBULATIONS enter the kingdom of God."
This verse was written right after the Stoning of Paul and is about the PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS.
Verse 7: Romans 2:9 TRIBULATION and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;
The context of 2:9 is about the Righteous Judgment of GOD... Romans 2:5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself WRATH in the day of wrath and revelation of the RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT OF GOD, Romans 2:6 who "WILL RENDER TO EACH ONE ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS": Romans 2:7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; Romans 2:8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—INDIGNATION AND WRATH, Romans 2:9 TRIBULATION and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; Romans 2:10 but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 2:11 For there is no partiality with God.
The following verses are about the PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS...
Verse 8: Romans 5:3 And not only that, but we also glory in TRIBULATIONS, knowing that TRIBULATION produces perseverance;
Verse 9: Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall TRIBULATION, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Verse 10: 2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our TRIBULATION, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Verse 11: 2 Corinthians 1:8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our TROUBLE which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.
Verse 12: 2 Corinthians 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our TRIBULATION.
Verse 13: 2 Corinthians 8:2 that in a great trial of AFFLICTION the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.
Verse 14: Ephesians 3:13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my TRIBULATIONS for you, which is your glory.
Verse 15: Philippians 1:16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add AFFLICTION to my chains;
Verse 16: Colossians 1:24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the AFFLICTIONS of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
I believe what Paul means is that his sufferings are FILLING UP THE MEASURE OF GUILT that Christ warned the Scribes and Pharisees about... Mathew 23:32 FILL UP, then, the measure of your fathers' guilt. Matthew 23:33 Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? Matthew 23:34 Therefore, indeed, I SEND YOU PROPHETS, WISE MEN, AND SCRIBES: SOME OF THEM YOU WILL KILL AND CRUCIFY, AND SOME OF THEM YOU WILL SCOURGE IN YOUR SYNAGOGUES AND PERSECUTE FROM CITY TO CITY, Matthew 23:35 that ON YOU MAY COME ALL THE RIGHTEOUS BLOOD SHED ON THE EARTH, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Matthew 23:36 Assuredly, I say to you, ALL THESE THINGS WILL COME UPON THIS GENERATION.
In the Book of Revelation, John saw Martyrs in Heaven and they were told to "REST A LITTLE WHILE LONGER, UNTIL BOTH THE NUMBER OF THEIR FELLOW SERVANTS AND THEIR BRETHREN, WHO WOULD BE KILLED AS THEY WERE, WAS COMPLETED"... Revelation 6:9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. Revelation 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "HOW LONG, O Lord, holy and true, UNTIL YOU JUDGE AND AVENGE OUR BLOOD ON THOSE WHO DWELL ON THE EARTH?" Revelation 6:11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and IT WAS SAID TO THEM THAT THEY SHOULD REST A LITTLE WHILE LONGER, UNTIL BOTH THE NUMBER OF THEIR FELLOW SERVANTS AND THEIR BRETHREN, WHO WOULD BE KILLED AS THEY WERE, WAS COMPLETED.
John saw the FULFILLMENT in Revelation 19:2: "For true and righteous are His judgments, because HE HAS JUDGED THE GREAT HARLOT who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and HE HAS AVENGED ON HER THE BLOOD OF HIS SERVANTS SHED BY HER." The Great Harlot or Mystery Babylon was Old Covenant Jerusalem. Be sure to read my article which PROVES it: WHO IS MYSTERY BABYLON IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION?
The following verses are about the PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS...
Verse 17: 1 Thessalonians 1:6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much AFFLICTION, with joy of the Holy Spirit,
Verse 18: 1 Thessalonians 3:3 that no one should be shaken by these AFFLICTIONS; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.
Verse 19: 1 Thessalonians 3:7 therefore, brethren, in all our AFFLICTION and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.
Verse 20: 2 Thessalonians 1:4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and TRIBULATIONS that you endure,
Verse 21: 2 Thessalonians 1:6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with TRIBULATION those who trouble you,
GOD was going to take VENGEANCE on those who were persecuting the Thessalonians when Christ was "REVEALED FROM HEAVEN"... 2 Thessalonians 1:7 and TO GIVE YOU WHO ARE TROUBLED REST WITH US WHEN THE LORD JESUS IS REVEALED FROM HEAVEN with His mighty angels, 2 Thessalonians 1:8 in flaming fire TAKING VENGEANCE ON THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW GOD, AND ON THOSE WHO DO NOT OBEY THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
The Thessalonians would receive REST from their TROUBLES. That means that Christ's 2ND COMING had to occur during their lifetime or the Apostle Paul was a False Prophet!
The following verses are about the PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS...
Verse 22: Hebrews 10:33 partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and TRIBULATIONS, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated;
Verse 23: Revelation 1:9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the TRIBULATION and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
John was writting to the 7 Churches in Asia Minor (Revelation 1:4) from the "island that is called Patmos". The “Syriac version” of the New Testament, which dates back to the second century A.D., states that John was banished there (Island of Patmos) by Nero the Emperor.
Internal Evidence shows that the Book of Revelation was written in the early to mid 60's and it was written to show the servants of GOD - THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY TAKE PLACE.
Watch this video by Pastor Chuck Baldwin (Chuck is NOT a Full Preterist) to hear the Evidence: When Did John Write The Book Of Revelation?
Revelation could have been written shortly after the Great Fire of Rome when Nero blamed the Christians for the fire and Great Persecution of the Christians began in Rome.
Verses 24 & 25: Revelation 2:9 I know your works, TRIBULATION, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Revelation 2:10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have TRIBULATION ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
These verses are part of the letter that was written to the Church in Smyrna. Christ Warned that some of them would be thrown in prison and possibly killed. Those who overcome would not be hurt by the second death... Revelation 2:11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. HE WHO OVERCOMES SHALL NOT BE HURT BY THE SECOND DEATH."
THLIBO
Word Summary: thlibo: to press, afflict
Transliteration: thlibo
Phonetic Spelling: (thlee'-bo)
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: to press, afflict
Strong's Concordance: afflict, suffer tribulation, trouble.
Akin to the base of tribos; to crowd (literally or figuratively) -- afflict, narrow, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble.
The Greek word THILIBO is used 10 times in the King James Version of the New Testament and is translated as follows...
+ Trouble or Troubled = 4 times
+ Afflicted = 3 times
+ Tribulation = 1 time
+ Narrow = 1 time
+ Throng = 1 time
6 verses are about the PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS...
1) 2 Corinthians 1:6 And whether we be AFFLICTED, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
2) 2 Corinthians 4:8 We are TROUBLED on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
3) 2 Corinthians 7:5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were TROUBLED on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
4) 1 Thessalonians 3:4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer TRIBULATION; even as it came to pass, and ye know.
5) 2 Thessalonians 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that TROUBLE you;
6) 2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are TROUBLED rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
ANOTHER VERSE RELATED TO THE GREAT TRIBULATION
The following verse is probably about the Jewish-Roman War that was about to begin and resulted in the Destruction of Mystery Babylon (Old Covenant Jerusalem). It could also include the PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS by NERO. That Persecution may have already begun if the Book of Revelation was not written until A.D. 65.
(KJV) Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the WORLD, to try them that dwell upon the EARTH. (King James Version)
(NKJV) Revelation 3:10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole WORLD, to test those who dwell on the EARTH. (New King James Version)
(YLT) Revelation 3:10 'Because thou didst keep the word of my endurance, I also will keep thee from the hour of the trial that is ABOUT TO COME upon all the WORLD, to try those dwelling upon the EARTH. (Young's Literal Translation)
The word "WORLD" in the verse above is translated from the Greek word OIKOUMENE and usually refers to the Roman empire and not the entire world. The Greek word "KOSMOS" is also translated as WORLD and usually refers to the entire world.
Word Summary: oikoumene: the inhabited earth
Transliteration: oikoumene
Phonetic Spelling: (oy-kou-men'-ay)
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Meaning: the inhabited earth
Strong's Concordance: earth, world.
Feminine participle present passive of oikeo (as noun, by implication, of ge); land, i.e. The (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the Roman empire -- earth, world.
The following scripture uses OIKOUMENE and the phrase "ALL THE WORLD" and is PROOF that it does NOT mean the entire world since it would not have been possible for the Roman Emperor to TAX the western hemisphere... (KJV) Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that ALL THE WORLD (oikemene) should be taxed.
The word 'EARTH" in Revelation 3:10 is translated from the Greek word GE and is also translated as "LAND" and often refers to the Land of Israel or Judea.
Word Summary: ge: the earth, land
Transliteration: ge
Phonetic Spelling: (ghay)
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Meaning: the earth, land
Strong's Concordance: country, ground, land, world.
Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application) -- country, earth(-ly), ground, land, world.
The Greek word MELLO is also used in Revelation 3:10 and means "ABOUT TO" or "FIXIN' TO" in Southern English and is properly translated above in Young's Literal Translation.
Word Summary: mello: to be about to
Transliteration: mello
Phonetic Spelling: (mel'-lo)
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: to be about to
Strong's Concordance: to be about to
A strengthened form of melo (through the idea of expectation); to intend, i.e. Be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probability, possibility, or hesitation) -- about, after that, be (almost), (that which is, things, + which was for) to come, intend, was to (be), mean, mind, be at the point, (be) ready, + return, shall (begin), (which, that) should (after, afterwards, hereafter) tarry, which was for, will, would, be yet.
The timing (ABOUT TO COME) of the "hour of trial" or temptation (KJV) is consistent with the timing of the prophecy of the Book of Revelation... Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY TAKE PLACE.
The "things" John wrote about were either Past, Present or ABOUT TO occur. The Greek word MELLO is in the original text... (YLT) Revelation 1:19 'Write the things that thou hast seen, and the things that are, and THE THINGS THAT ARE ABOUT TO COME after these things; (Young's Literal Translation).
You cannot find a verse in Revelation that indicates that any of the Prophecy is for hundreds or thousands of years in the future. In the last chapter of Revelation John is told again that the prophecy is about "THE THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY TAKE PLACE" and JESUS said that he was COMING QUICKLY... Revelation 22:6 Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants THE THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY TAKE PLACE. Revelation 22:7 "BEHOLD, I AM COMING QUICKLY! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
Be sure to read my article: TIME RESTRICTIONS OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Great Tribulation HAS OCCURRED! It occurred when Daniel and Jesus said it would... Daniel 12:1 "At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And THERE SHALL BE A TIME OF TROUBLE, SUCH AS NEVER WAS SINCE THERE WAS A NATION, EVEN TO THAT TIME. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.
Is that not the Great Tribulation Daniel was talking about?
Daniel was told WHEN the TIME OF TROUBLE would occur and HOW LONG it would last... Daniel 12:6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "HOW LONG SHALL THE FULFILLMENT OF THESE WONDERS BE?" Daniel 12:7 Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that IT SHALL BE FOR A TIME, TIMES, AND HALF A TIME; AND WHEN THE POWER OF THE HOLY PEOPLE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY SHATTERED, ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE FINISHED.
Wasn't the POWER of the HOLY PEOPLE SHATTERED during the Jewish-Roman War when their TEMPLE and their HOLY CITY (JERUSALEM) were DESTROYED?
Those were the LAST DAYS of Old Covenant Judaism, the END OF THE AGE! The Old Covenant, the LAW of MOSES could not be kept without the temple and the altar... There have been NO Animal Sacrifices for almost 2,000 YEARS!
Didn't Jesus prophesy about the Destruction of the Temple? Matthew 24:1 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. Matthew 24:2 And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, NOT ONE STONE SHALL BE LEFT HERE UPON ANOTHER, THAT SHALL NOT BE THROWN DOWN."
They weren't having a VISION... They weren't talking about a FUTURE Temple... They were talking about the temple that they were looking at!
Didn't the Disciples associate the Destruction of the Temple with Christ's 2nd Coming and the End of the Age? Matthew 24:3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "TELL US, WHEN WILL THESE THINGS BE? AND WHAT WILL BE THE SIGN OF YOUR COMING, AND OF THE END OF THE AGE?" If the disciples were mistaken why didn't Jesus correct them as he had done in the past?
The Disciples wanted to know WHEN the Temple would be Destroyed and they wanted to know a SIGN for When It Was About To Happen. Jesus answered both questions in his Olivet Discourse but People are So BRAINWASHED by Listening to Prophecy Preaching PIMPS that they can't SEE the Answers!
Jesus had prophesied about the Destruction of Jerusalem before... Luke 19:41 Now as He drew near, HE SAW THE CITY AND WEPT OVER IT, Luke 19:42 saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Luke 19:43 FOR DAYS WILL COME UPON YOU WHEN YOUR ENEMIES WILL BUILD AN EMBANKMENT AROUND YOU, SURROUND YOU AND CLOSE YOU IN ON EVERY SIDE, Luke 19:44 AND LEVEL YOU, AND YOUR CHILDREN WITHIN YOU, TO THE GROUND; AND THEY WILL NOT LEAVE IN YOU ONE STONE UPON ANOTHER, BECAUSE YOU DID NOT KNOW THE TIME OF YOUR VISITATION."
You can read the Fulfillment of this Prophecy in THE WARS OF THE JEWS by Flavius Josephus...
Book 5, Chapter 12
TITUS THOUGHT FIT TO ENCOMPASS THE CITY ROUND WITH A WALL; AFTER WHICH THE FAMINE CONSUMED THE PEOPLE BY WHOLE HOUSES AND FAMILIES TOGETHER.
Section 2: ...When Titus had therefore encompassed the city with this wall, and put garrisons into proper places, be went round the wall, at the first watch of the night, and observed how the guard was kept; the second watch he allotted to Alexander; the commanders of legions took the third watch. They also cast lots among themselves who should be upon the watch in the night time, and who should go all night long round the spaces that were interposed between the garrisons.
3. So all hope of escaping was now cut off from the Jews, together with their liberty of going out of the city. Then did the famine widen its progress, and devoured the people by whole houses and families; the upper rooms were full of women and children that were dying by famine, and the lanes of the city were full of the dead bodies of the aged; the children also and the young men wandered about the market-places like shadows, all swelled with the famine, and fell down dead, wheresoever their misery seized them. As for burying them, those that were sick themselves were not able to do it; and those that were hearty and well were deterred from doing it by the great multitude of those dead bodies, and by the uncertainty there was how soon they should die themselves; for many died as they were burying others, and many went to their coffins before that fatal hour was come. Nor was there any lamentations made under these calamities, nor were heard any mournful complaints; but the famine confounded all natural passions; for those who were just going to die looked upon those that were gone to rest before them with dry eyes and open mouths. A deep silence also, and a kind of deadly night, had seized upon the city; while yet the robbers were still more terrible than these miseries were themselves; for they brake open those houses which were no other than graves of dead bodies, and plundered them of what they had; and carrying off the coverings of their bodies, went out laughing, and tried the points of their swords in their dead bodies; and, in order to prove what metal they were made of they thrust some of those through that still lay alive upon the ground; but for those that entreated them to lend them their right hand and their sword to despatch them, they were too proud to grant their requests, and left them to be consumed by the famine. Now every one of these died with their eyes fixed upon the temple, and left the seditious alive behind them. Now the seditious at first gave orders that the dead should be buried out of the public treasury, as not enduring the stench of their dead bodies. But afterwards, when they could not do that, they had them cast down from the walls into the valleys beneath.
4. However, when Titus, in going his rounds along those valleys, saw them full of dead bodies, and the thick putrefaction running about them, he gave a groan; and, spreading out his hands to heaven, called God to witness that this was not his doing; and such was the sad case of the city itself.
What did Jesus say was the reason for the Destruction of Jerusalem in Luke 19:44?
Answer: "BECAUSE YOU DID NOT KNOW THE TIME OF YOUR VISITATION."
Israel had rejected the Messiah and KILLED HIM and KILLED the PROPHETS and JESUS' APOSTLES!
Jesus had Prophesied about those things as well... Luke 9:21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, Luke 9:22 saying, "THE SON OF MAN MUST SUFFER MANY THINGS, AND BE REJECTED BY THE ELDERS AND CHIEF PRIESTS AND SCRIBES, AND BE KILLED, AND BE RAISED THE THIRD DAY."
Matthew 23:34 Therefore, indeed, I SEND YOU PROPHETS, WISE MEN, AND SCRIBES: SOME OF THEM YOU WILL KILL AND CRUCIFY, AND SOME OF THEM YOU WILL SCOURGE IN YOUR SYNAGOGUES AND PERSECUTE FROM CITY TO CITY, Matthew 23:35 THAT ON YOU MAY COME ALL THE RIGHTEOUS BLOOD SHED ON THE EARTH, FROM THE BLOOD OF RIGHTEOUS ABEL TO THE BLOOD OF ZECHARIAH, SON OF BERECHIAH, WHOM YOU MURDERED BETWEEN THE TEMPLE AND THE ALTAR. Matthew 23:36 ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, ALL THESE THINGS WILL COME UPON THIS GENERATION. Matthew 23:37 "O JERUSALEM, JERUSALEM, THE ONE WHO KILLS THE PROPHETS AND STONES THOSE WHO ARE SENT TO HER! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Matthew 23:38 SEE! YOUR HOUSE IS LEFT TO YOU DESOLATE;
What Generation would the Judgement of GOD fall upon because of those deeds?
Answer: (Matthew 23:35) ALL THESE THINGS WILL COME UPON THIS GENERATION!
Didn't Jesus warn his followers to FLEE Judea and Jerusalem when they saw Jerusalem surrounded by armies?
Luke 21:20 "But WHEN YOU SEE JERUSALEM SURROUNDED BY ARMIES, THEN KNOW THAT ITS DESOLATION IS NEAR. Luke 21:21 THEN LET THOSE WHO ARE IN JUDEA FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS, LET THOSE WHO ARE IN THE MIDST OF HER DEPART, AND LET NOT THOSE WHO ARE IN THE COUNTRY ENTER HER. Luke 21:22 For these are the DAYS OF VENGEANCE, THAT ALL THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN MAY BE FULFILLED.
Jesus told Peter, James, John and Andrew that WHEN YOU SEE Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then KNOW THAT ITS DESOLATION IS NEAR (Luke 21:20).
That was a MAJOR SIGN! "JERUSALEM SURROUNDED BY ARMIES" was the SIGN the Disciples were to LOOK for... Jesus was talking to THEM and answering their questions. Are YOU so BRAINWASHED that you believe Jesus' Answer was meant for people 2,000 years in the Future instead of for those who were asking the questions? Are YOU Really that STUPID?
After that he told them in Luke 21:27: "Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory."
That was the SECOND COMING!
After that he told them in Luke 21:32: "Assuredly, I SAY TO YOU, THIS GENERATION WILL BY NO MEANS PASS AWAY TILL ALL THINGS TAKE PLACE."
That was the TIMEFRAME for WHEN but Futurists say, "It was NOT That Generation but a Future Generation that SEES those things!"
According to HISTORY the Jewish Temple and Jerusalem were DESTROYED in A.D. 70 which was in THAT GENERATION just as Jesus said.
So Please Explain HOW could some Future Generation SEE the Temple & Jerusalem Destroyed UNLESS they have a TIME MACHINE?
Jesus was talking about the Temple and the City of Jerusalem that existed THEN, not some rebuilt temple in our future or a rebuilt city named Aelia Capitolina which was built by Emperor Hadrian in A.D. 130.
When talking about the Destruction of Jerusalem, Jesus said: "THESE ARE THE DAYS OF VENGEANCE, THAT ALL THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN MAY BE FULFILLED" (Luke 21:22).
Only the Old Testament had been written at this time but the Resurrection, Judgment and the Everlasting Kingdom were written about in Daniel. The Resurrection and the New Heaven and New Earth were written about in Isaiah so what else is there to be fulfilled after these things?
Jesus reveals in Luke 21:23 that the WRATH is upon the Judeans or Jewish people... Luke 21:23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! FOR THERE WILL BE GREAT DISTRESS IN THE LAND AND WRATH UPON THIS PEOPLE.
According to the Jewish Historian Josephus, 1.1 Million Died and 97,000 were taken captive in the Jewish-Roman War...
"Now the number of those that were carried captive during this whole war was collected to be ninety-seven thousand; as was the number of those that perished during the whole siege eleven hundred thousand, the greater part of whom were indeed of the same nation [with the citizens of Jerusalem], but not belonging to the city itself; for they were come up from all the country to the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and were on a sudden shut up by an army, which, at the very first, occasioned so great a straitness among them, that there came a pestilential destruction upon them, and soon afterward such a famine, as destroyed them more suddenly." - Flavius Josephus, WARS OF THE JEWS, Book 6, Chapter 9, Section 3.
AND thus was Jerusalem taken, in the SECOND YEAR of the reign of Vespasian, on the eighth day of the month Gorpeius [Elul]. - WARS OF THE JEWS, Flavius Josephus, Book 6, Chapter 10, Paragraph 1.
Vespasian's reign began in 69 AD during the year of the 4 Emperors so his 2nd year would have been A.D. 70.
Didn't Jesus call that time of war GREAT TRIBULATION? Matthew 24:20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. Matthew 24:21 For THEN THERE WILL BE GREAT TRIBULATION, SUCH AS HAS NOT BEEN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD UNTIL THIS TIME, NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE.
Compare how Jesus described the Great Tribulation with how Daniel described the Great Tribulation...
Jesus: SUCH AS HAS NOT BEEN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD UNTIL THIS TIME, NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE.
Daniel: THERE SHALL BE A TIME OF TROUBLE, SUCH AS NEVER WAS SINCE THERE WAS A NATION, EVEN TO THAT TIME.
Jesus and Daniel were talking about the same event!
WHEN did Jesus say that the WAR, the Great Tribulation would occur?
Jesus said in Matthew 24:34 & Luke 21:32: Assuredly, I say to you, THIS GENERATION WILL BY NO MEANS PASS AWAY TILL ALL THESE THINGS TAKE PLACE.
WHAT "THINGS" had Jesus talked about in the previous verses of Matthew 24 & Luke 21?
ANSWERS:
Matthew 24:3 = TEMPLE DESTRUCTION / Luke 21:6
Matthew 24:5 = FALSE CHRISTS / Luke 21:8
Matthew 24:6 = WARS & RUMORS OF WARS / Luke 21:9
Luke 21:11 = EARTHQUAKES, FAMINES, PESTILENCES, FEARFUL SIGHTS AND GREAT SIGNS FROM HEAVEN
Matthew 24:9 = PERSECUTION OF SAINTS / Luke 21:12
Matthew 24:10 = BETRAYAL / Luke 21:16
Matthew 24:11 = FALSE PROPHETS
Matthew 24:12 = LAWLESSNESS
Matthew 24:14 = GOSPEL PREACHED TO THE NATIONS
Matthew 24:15 = ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION / Luke 21:20 = JERUSALEM SURROUNDED BY ARMIES
Matthew 24:21 = GREAT TRIBULATION / Luke 21:23 = GREAT DISTRESS IN THE LAND AND WRATH UPON THIS PEOPLE
The WRATH was from GOD and it was upon the land of JUDEA and the JUDEANS. It was NOT UPON the WHOLE WORLD!
Luke 21:23 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! FOR THERE WILL BE GREAT DISTRESS IN THE LAND and WRATH UPON THIS PEOPLE.
Who was THIS PEOPLE?
What PEOPLE were KILLED or TAKEN CAPTIVE?
Luke 21:24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Luke 21:24 = FALL OF JERUSALEM (Judeans Killed or Taken Captive)
Matthew 24:30 = CHRIST'S 2ND COMING / Luke 21:27
Matthew 24:31 = RESURRECTION
Daniel also said the RESURRECTION and the JUDGEMENT would occur at that time...
Daniel 12:2 AND MANY OF THOSE WHO SLEEP IN THE DUST OF THE EARTH SHALL AWAKE, SOME TO EVERLASTING LIFE, SOME TO SHAME AND EVERLASTING CONTEMPT.
What time was that again?
Daniel 12:7 ... WHEN THE POWER OF THE HOLY PEOPLE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY SHATTERED, ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE FINISHED.
Jesus and Daniel AGREE on the TIMING of these events!
The POWER (Old Covenant) of the HOLY PEOPLE (Israel) was COMPLETELY SHATTERED within the GENERATION (40 YEARS) Jesus had Prophesied!
It's past time for people to START BELIEVING THE WORD OF GOD and STOP BELIEVING the FALSE TEACHERS and their FALSE DOCTRINES!
Watch this excellent video on The Great Tribulation: The Great Tribulation: Past or Future? (Matthew 24:21)